Leadership styles and employees commitment: the mediating role of job satisfaction

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to explore the relationship between three primary constructs: leadership styles, job satisfaction and organizational commitment among private-practice quantity surveyors in the Nigerian construction industry. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey of 127 quantity surveying consultancy firms in Abuja was conducted using a quantitative research approach. A total of 76 acceptable questionnaires were returned from a total of 127 that were distributed, giving a response rate of approximately 60%. The data were analyzed using partial least square structural equation modelling. Findings Results showed a positive indirect link between leadership styles and organizational commitments, with job satisfaction acting as a partial mediator. It was also found through importance–performance map analysis, which is crucial for prioritizing managerial actions, that an employee’s commitment to a task is strongly influenced by that person’s level of job satisfaction. Research limitations/implications The study is quantitative and cross-sectional in nature, collecting information from a single source within an organization. A longitudinal strategy and a mixed methods approach should be used in future research. Practical implications Superiors/principal partners should make an effort to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of leadership styles that is capable of enhancing job satisfaction and creating pleasant interaction in the work environment to increase the commitment of employees working in quantity surveying consultancy businesses. Originality/value As far as the author is aware, this study is one of the few to examine the impact of job satisfaction as a mediator between organizational commitments and leadership styles in the Nigerian construction industry. Furthermore, the study provides the basis for further discussion of the concepts offered in the paper.